STAFF in Wilko stores in Somerset are anxiously waiting to see if they will keep their jobs.

The discount retailer, which has outlets in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil, is consulting with 3,900 employees about a shake-up of shop staffing roles.

The retailer's move follows rising costs and falling profits in a tough trading environment.

It plans to cut out a level of supervisory roles in stores across the country.

At the same time, it plans to create 1,000 new senior posts.

Anthony Houghton, Wilko retail director, said that the move would ensure "all retail operations are fit for the future".

The consultation runs until October.

Wilko's most recent accounts show pre-tax profits down by 80 per cent in the year to January 28, following a £12.9 million hit from a jump in costs due to the fall in the pound after the Brexit vote.

The company has also been hampered by higher costs associated with the introduction of the higher than expected National Living Wage.

Mr Houghton added: "The simpler, newly defined store structure will give teams greater variety within their roles and result in more team hours on the shop floor, delivering a better customer experience."

The announcement from Wilko comes after Asda said hundreds of jobs were at risk and Sainsbury's released plans to axe more than 1,000 jobs at its head office.